Sales and Operational Planning Lead

As a member of the Inchcape team, you will play a key part in the success of our hugely diverse global business. We are a team of over 14,500 colleagues across more than 40 countries make up the global Inchcape team. We are always searching for talented and passionate people, with a can-do attitude, to join us and help power Inchcape’s growth.
Our business focuses on four key strategic objectives with our vision to be the ‘World’s most trusted automotive distributor and retailer’.
Working with some of the most prestigious brands in the market, and with our enhanced basic salaries and competitive pay plans, this move could be the best move in your career so far!

Inchcape Plc – Sales and Operational Planning Lead

Europe Based Hybrid Role with bi-monthly tavel to London and as required to other global markets.
Attractive Salary + Bonus + Great Employee Benefits
Full Time

At Inchcape, we are all about rewarding hard work, as a Sales and Operational Planning Lead (S&OP Lead) for Inchcape Plc, you will receive an attractive salary and benefits package with great perks from vehicle discounts to mental health support and much more…

• Family Friendly - Enhanced family friendly policies, giving you more time to spend with your family.
• Annual leave - A minimum of 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays), rising with long service.
• Looking to develop? - Grow your career with us, receive industry leading training
• Your Wellbeing - We take employee wellbeing seriously at Inchcape, we offer a programme to support all our colleagues and families with whatever challenges they may face.
• Your Discount - From Apple to Asda and everything in between, we offer discounts that save you money every day.
• Your Finances - Effortlessly grow your savings with our Share Scheme, we will match up to 7% when you enrol into our flexible pension scheme and have peace of mind with our free life assurance cover and much more.
• Drive with us - We offer discounts and offers on both new & used vehicles and servicing for you, your friends and family.
• Your Health - From gym discounts to cash healthcare plans, find everything you need to look after your health.
• Cycle to Work - Get a bike and or cycling gear at a significantly reduced price.
• Community Volunteering Day - Every colleague has an additional day to spend volunteering for a charity or good cause of their choice, as well as the option to get involved in our company wide charity initiatives.
• A company that cares - We believe Inchcape is for everyone and we’re dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.
  

Job Description

As at the end of 2023, £6billion per annum is spent via the S&OP process, across 40 markets and 108 brands. Taking on this role, the S&OP Lead will cover both New Vehicles and Spare Parts in the distribution business, effectively from OEM to delivery to dealers / retail.

The purpose of the S&OP Lead role is to; define and evolve the Global S&OP Playbook, drive continuous improvement, global level Insight and Analysis, as required and planning and supporting the deployment to new markets and brands.

Due to this role needing to have real time communication across the globe, a candidate within the European Time zone is required.

Main Responsibilities

• Ensure the S&OP Playbook is complete and accurate, evolving in line with business needs and strategy, clearly understood by and accessible to all users and fit for purpose.
• Standards: Lead the setting and alignment of market and brand level annual targets for S&OP KPIs and attend monthly market / brand Stock Calls to review compliance to standards and feedback constructively.
• S&OP Capabilities: Having defined the capability requirements and standards in the Playbook, work with Regional Leads to identify gaps and to ensure they are closed via training, provision of supporting materials, and leveraging S&OP Community events.
• Drive continuous improvement: a) In relation to business strategy alignment and technical roll outs b) Working with others within the S&OP community to create an environment that fosters continuous improvement c) External influences and best practice.
• Tool Kit: Development, design and deployment of the S&OP Toolkit including Business Intelligence dashboards, AI forecasting and predictive analytics.
• Global Level Insight: Occasionally, there is a requirement to provide Global level reporting plus input into as appropriate into Stock Calls to support understanding and provision of benchmarking.
• Although deployment is the responsibility of the Regional Lead, the role is expected to support the on boarding, particularly to provide a Global context for S&OP.
• Ad Hoc: Additional support will be required in various ways, as and when requested by the Global Lead – Product Planning and Logistics.

The Ideal Candidate

• Strong motivational Leadership skills.
• Great communicator – verbal, written and presentations.
• Good understanding of S&OP and market operating models in Spare Parts and New Vehicle Distribution.
• Logical thinker rather than a technical expert.
• Assertive Collaborator.
• Tenacious and energetic self-starter.
• Excellent English language skills.
• Ability to focus on detail without losing the context of the bigger picture.
• Global Change Management experience.
• High degree of planning and organisational skills – Ability to set challenging but realistic targets / deadlines.
• Numerate and good analytical skills.
• An understand / experience of Global End to End supply chains would be an advantage.
• 4 Key value areas are required to succeed in the role:
  • Clarity – Ensure clarity in communication to others and one’s own understanding.
  • Commitment – Deliver on targets, promises and deadlines.
  • Caring – Empathetic with approach – but assertive in delivery
  • Challenge – Comfortable to challenge and to encourage it from others.

We are committed to driving an inclusive culture across our business and valuing diversity of our colleagues, candidates and communities. We are proud that we practice ethical and equitable recruitment, hiring and selection processes.

Flexibility is key to success in our business and many of our colleagues work flexibly. Please talk to us about what flexibility means to you and how it could help you thrive at Inchcape.

To make your journey with us accessible, and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you’d like help with your application, or if you have any individual requirements at any stage along your recruitment journey. We are here to support you, so please reach out to the recruitment team.

About Us

Inchcape is a leading independent global automotive distributor and retailer. We aim to deliver an outstanding customer experience at every one of our franchised dealerships, and to support this all our dealerships have specialist, manufacturer trained staff to ensure you and your car receive the best possible attention.

OUR VISION: To be the world’s most trusted automotive Distributor.

Inchcape is ambitious! We are pursuing a strategy of growth, both organically and by acquisition, across the globe. We have a number of exciting opportunities for equally ambitious talent.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.